'Delphi's Dolphins'

Tips for a longer stay

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Delphi

After the Acropolis of Athens, Delphi is the most popular archaeological site of Greece. A trip to Delphi is listed in just about every tour itinerary and is by far the most popular day trip out of Athens.

Located amidst breathtaking scenery, ancient Delphi is the site of the Sanctuary and Oracle of Apollo, the most important sacred site in ancient Greek religion. The archaeological site also includes the excellent Delphi Museum.

Delphi in ancient times was considered the centre of the known world, the place where heaven and earth met. This was the place where man was closest to god. Delphi is known as the centre of worship for the god Apollo, son of Zeus who embodied moral discipline and spiritual clarity. Even before the area was associated with Apollo there were other deities worshipped there, including the earth goddess Gea, Themis, Demeter and Poseidon, the well known god of the sea.

The centre of Delphi is the sanctuary of Apollo, on the southern tip of the mountain slope. The Doric temple was the home of the Pythia, who seated on a tripod above a deep crevasse, would pronounce her prophecies while the priests wrote them down and translated them to the people. The temple walls used to be inscribed with words of wisdom such as "Know Thyself", "Nothing in Excess" and "Don't take any Wooden Drachma", which are as meaningful today as they were when they were written.

There has been something 'magical' going on in Delphi for several thousand years and the place still attracts a million visitors a year. Built on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, the town and ancient site are as awe-inspiring now as they were three thousand years ago, overlooking the Gulf of Corinth and a valley filled with olive and cypress trees. The nearby village of Delphi sits on the edge of a cliff and despite the number of tourists, this is still a very remarkable place to be. There are many nice hotels, two campgrounds within a few kilometres and numerous restaurants and tavernas.

For more information: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/delphi.htm

Corinth

Corinth is an ancient city about 80 km west of Athens, on the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to mainland Greece. Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece. A canal through the isthmus of Corinth was begun under the emperor Nero in 67 AD. However, the canal was not completed and up to the 12th century ships were dragged on rollers across the isthmus. The 6 km Corinth canal was finally completed in 1893, providing an essential shipping route between the Ionian and Aegean seas.

Systematic archaeological excavations of the area, initiated in 1896, have brought to light the agora, temples, fountains, shops, porticoes, baths and various other monuments. The ruins of ancient Corinth, a short drive from the modern city of Corinth, are spread around the base of the rock of Acrocorinth, which forms a natural acropolis for the city. On the Acrocorinth itself are ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite, but the most notable ruin of ancient Corinth is the Temple of Apollo, built on a hill overlooking the remains of the Roman marketplace (agora). Seven of the original 38 Doric columns still stand, and it is one of the oldest stone temples in Greece. Part of the foundation and a few pillars remain of the Temple of Octavia, representing the imperial cult of Rome spread throughout the empire. A sacred spring is located along the northern edge of the forum. Near the spring is a secret passage leading to a small shrine. Significant ruins of the Peirene Fountain, the major source of water for Corinth, can be found in the Roman Forum. Frescoes of swimming fish can still be seen. The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth contains a number of artefacts of interest.

For more information: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/corinth.htm